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Austin Mayor Steve Adler to lead national mayoral anti-bigotry efforts

In response to violent white supremacist demonstrations in Charlottesville, Va. last week, more than 240 American mayors will join with the Anti-Defamation League to combat extremism and bigotry, the group announced Friday.

And Austin Mayor Steve Adler was tapped to head the cause.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, designated Adler the lead of the new project, said Conference of Mayors CEO Tom Cochran in a statement. Adler serves on the group’s board of trustees.

Adler said in a phone interview Friday that the effort came together quickly in the wake of the Charlottesville events and the Conference of Mayors had never had so many of its members sign up for something so fast.

Cities have been leaders in innovation and business growth, but now, after President Donald Trump has met criticism for equivocating on condemnation of white supremacists, city leaders must take the lead, Adler said.

“It’s apparent now we have to lead on moral issues,” Adler said. “Somebody has to step up and make sure the messaging is clear and unambiguous… There are only two sides to racism: The right side and the wrong side of history.”

Signatory mayors made a 10-point commitment to use their positions to speak out against bigotry, denounce hateful acts, balance public safety with free speech, ensure local law enforcement investigates hate crimes, encourage anti-bias programs in schools, support targeted communities, celebrate diversity, promote law enforcement training on hate response, encouraging residents to report hate crimes and strengthening hate crime laws when necessary.

“For mayors this is not a political or partisan issue,” Adler said on CNN Friday morning. “This is the work we do every day. We can tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys.”